"The Tenth Sentiment"
2010
KUWAKUBO Ryota

photo: KIOKU Keizo

On the front of the model train running around the darkened room is a small, lit-up LED light. This train slowly navigates the room, which contains various large and small "objects," according to the model rail route, throwing the shadows of the "objects" onto the walls and ceiling as it goes. Due to the movement of the light source, the shadows of the stationary "objects" move as images like views from the carriage windows, surrounding viewers with images as if they were passengers riding on the train.

The shadows projected in this work are created by the light source produced by the LED light attached to the modified model train. This light source is called "point light source." Light radiates outwards from the light source and the shadows thus created are also projected radially. In an environment such as this, the closer the light to the position of an "object," the larger the projected image becomes, and the further apart they are, the smaller the image. The elements comprising this work can be said to be "objects" physically placed alongside the model railway route, but they are also the point light sources and lines for the motion trajectory for each particular point, and can be said to be the cross-sectional surfaces of the "objects." Moreover, as surfaces, the points that move along lines also move shadows. In this project, with its atmosphere similar to a magic lantern - which could be said to be the original imaging device - the light source projects the "objects" surrounding it as if it were a camera lens. These images seem somehow nostalgic, as if they are triggering memories in the minds of each of us.

KUWAKUBO Ryota Profile

KUWAKUBO Ryota was born in 1971. Since 1998 he has been creating works using mainly electronics based on a theme of relationships formed across various boundaries, such as analog + digital, humans + machines, and information transmitters and receivers. His representative works include "Bitman" (created in collaboration with Maywa Denki), "PLX," "ShliFulin," and "Nicodama." His orientation towards creating devices that are designed not only for providing experiences but also as tools for establishing communications between the people who experience them has created a unique style that is also known as "Device Art."Past Exhibition / Event